We have read the threads on how it is really not worth importing a car into Switzerland. However, we are looking at a really good deal on a demo 2006 LR3 HSE that would be ca. CHF 20-30k less than anything we have been able to find through Comparis' carfinder. If the pricing on that website is accurate, then we think it would be worth the hassle (and transport will be paid for us).

Before we go ahead and buy it, however, we have a couple of questions. The dealer here was not sure whether the warranty would still be valid in Switzerland. Does anyone have experience in warranty transfers as such?

Second question is regarding duties and VAT. We know that you must own a car for six months before you can import it as a personal effect, duty-free. Does anyone know how that six months is calculated? Is it six months between the purchase of the car and the time at which the car crosses the border, or six months between the time you purchase it and the time you register as a resident in Switzerland? We will be moving the family over in less than six months, but won't be bringing our stuff over until we find permanent housing, and expect that will take several months.

We have submitted these question through official channels, but don't know how long it will take to receive a response, and we really need to move quickly to buy the car if we are going to go through with it.

Thanks for the help.

The V8 Disco3 is a great car - do be aware that you pay tax typically on the size of the engine and that fuel is more expensive here than in the US. The Diesel model sells better here but of course is unavailable in the North American market.

Swiss-sourced HSEs have 3 year/100'000km free servicing and will cost 90'000 francs or thereabouts, depending upon how you load the extras.

I believe they will honour the warranty but you can email zh-nord[at]emilfrey.ch to ask the question - they will likely have someone there who speaks English.

Good news is that the 2006/7 MY is much better than the 2004/5 MY.

Thanks for the advice. We're trying to confirm warranty info directly now. The customs issue was answered, but not in our favor--six months is calculated based on when the owner, not the car, arrives in-country. Still, it may be worth it.

Are the listed prices on the comparis carfinder firm, or are they negotiable?

for a Landie of that ilk, you'll get about 1500 off list price. Shop around, it might differ....

Even with VAT, duty, and shipping, as well as high taxes in our home, it will come out less than CHF 70,000. Sounds like it will be worth the hassle of getting it through customs.

ex-demo:
http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/De...2&page=1&row=1

Thanks for the link. That is about the same price, but we really want a 7-seater (two car seats means no one else can get in the car otherwise). We would look at a smaller, less expensive car if we were to stick with five seats. We would end up with a bigger engine too--meaning higher fuel costs, but happier husband.

Do you think it would be more trouble than it is worth?

can you get the sales tax back from your purchase there?

the HSE with 7 seats is marv. Try to get one with the second aircon zone in the back too.

I reckon you'd get one 2nd hand/ex-demo over here for 70+change. So it depends on the free servicing, warranty, exchange rate (not in your favour right now) and finally - whether you intend to return to the US with the car or try to sell the import here.

No tax back if we get it titled here first, which we must since we will be trading in our old car, and Atlanta has vitually no public transport. Pound of flesh everywhere you go.

We just had another offer from the same dealer for their last '06 HSE, new, for just US$1000 more than what they were asking for the demo, ca. $10k under list. And we have the tendency to drive cars until the wheels fall off, so we would be keeping this for a long while, likely bringing it back stateside (although we are not sure how long our stay there will be--initial contract is three years).

Any idea how much it would cost to bring it into compliance with Swiss standards? Are we correct in assuming that it is just the lights, and perhaps tuning? Emile Frey can't get back to us today on it, and husband is headed overseas tomorrow for a few weeks.

I have to admit, but until I used my friend Google, I had no idea what a LR3 HSE was. I now know it is a massive SUV.

Have you considered the costs to run the car (gas is over $5/gallon here), tax (my itty bitty VW Polo is over 350 CHF/year in tax, something as big as this vehicle will cost significantly more). Road lanes are not as big as in the US, even on the Autobahn. Parking places are minuscule. If you don't live in a more rural area, you will have trouble parking it on the street.

Just a few things to consider before you plunk down a large sum of money to not only buy the vehicle, but also to transport it and convert it for Swiss standards.

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These are all excellent points, and all ones that we have gone back and forth over for the past few months, ever since we learned we were to move to Switzerland. I tend to be both cheap and green--the last car I bought was a 2-door Honda Civic--while my other half is not, and now we have two little ones to consider too. Still not sure whether we will actually go through with the purchase or not, for precisely the reasons you cite. I don't particularly like driving at any rate, and plan to use public transport as much as possible, so the car will be more for my husband and for weekend travel. We also both suffer from overanalysis syndrome....

My Discovery (LR3) has a smaller footprint on the road than the car it replaced (Saab 9-5 stationwagon).

Tax varies depending where you live. I pay only a little more than you, 'shell.

But the underlying point of 'shell's post is ..... bringing a car with you could be more trouble than it's worth. There could be many hidden costs.

Consider a top-box on a regular station wagon too

Regarding your VAT ? The timeline is 6 months from the day of purchase.
Customs will want to see the purchase order for proof!!
Dx

I think we'll cry uncle on this one and hold off until we get there. The more we read, the more those returns diminish.

Thanks for all the advice!

Hi guys,

moving my Range Rover over. couple questions, and seeing if I have the steps right?

1. get geico international insurance
2. find a carrier for my car, or load in my container
3. go to dealership to get the paper CoC and have them do the test to see if it passes or what needs to be changed
4. in mean time get paperwork for license, do eye test / passport photo then switch over
5. I have 1 year to do this all


did I miss any steps, or am I off?

any help would be appreciated